VICTORIA - As part of B.C.'s ongoing efforts to enrich the healthy development of its youngest citizens, the provincial government is investing nearly $4.5 million to help early childhood educators maintain, polish and enhance their skills this year, Minister of State for Child Care Linda Reid announced today.

"Quality early learning and child care are cornerstones of early childhood development," said Reid. "These grants - a direct result of feedback from the sector - will place educators in an even better position to provide optimal care and education for our young children."

Included in today's announcement:
* $2 million to Vancity Community Foundation to support professional development and training opportunities for child care providers in collaboration with Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC);
* $1.5 million to Vancity Community Foundation to establish a bursary fund for early childhood education and care students in collaboration with ECEBC;
* $660,000 to Beacon Support Services to support the University of Victoria in continuing to provide professional development and training for early childhood educators, and to support one to two graduate students per year who are working in the early years field;
* $300,000 to the Western Canada Family Child Care Association of BC to provide professional development and training supports for family child care providers; and
* $12,000 to Kwantlen University College's Faculty of Community and Health Studies to provide early childhood educators with new research and teaching methods to promote literacy.

The experiences of early childhood have a profound impact on the overall health and well-being of individuals throughout their lifetime. According to current scientific research, the early years are the most critical for neurological development, as the most significant brain growth occurs in the first six years of life.

"It's promising to see the Province's continued emphasis on professional development in this field," said Ian Mass, executive director of the Vancity Community Foundation. "These grants recognize the need for educators and care workers to keep pace with the latest research and will ultimately support retention of exceptional professionals in B.C."

There are an estimated 245,000 children under the age of six in British Columbia and 9,500 registered early childhood educators in the province.

Collaboration across governments, ministries and communities has created strong foundations for success in early childhood development. Additional information on B.C.'s comprehensive network of programs and services for young children is available at
www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/early_childhood/index.htm.